Taking your own stroller?

[JessetheCowgirl]

Originally posted by Mandalou
We, too, have taken various strollers with us over the years -- from umbrellas to a double. We've never had a problem with it or anything in our stroller being taken, though I agree that you shouldn't leave anything valuable in the stroller.

We're going to take an umbrella stroller on our next trip for our 5 year old who will, undoubtedly, turn into a "liquid kid" by mid-afternoon. Man, I wish they'd invent a stroller that REALLY folded up and could be carried like a backpack when you don't need it. Now if I were really smart, I'd try to invent that myself!

One step ahead carries that stroller---it has been invented

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Here is a link to a backpack stroller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20412&item=4329920257&rd=1

 

[pkb24824]

My children are older now but when they were younger we always rented a stroller from the parks (they were the blue/green colored ones that looked like a "stroller") and found it to be easier to rent one as we arrived at the park and then turn it back in on our way out. And if you visit more than one park in one day, you can use your receipt to get another stroller at the next park you visit and not pay an additional charge.

Lately people bring their own strollers which can be annoying sometimes to people who are riding the busses and trying to maneuver around all the bulky strollers that are blocking the aisleway on the busses. I'm not against strollers, but find it difficult to get on and off the bus with the big strollers in the way. Sometimes the parents don't even know how to operate the stroller as far as folding them up and then the CM driving the bus has get out and help them out. For the most part, families with strollers are very accomodating to others trying to pass by them and will try to not block their way.

My vote would be for renting a stroller at the parks.

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

We took our own and had no problems...lugging it on and off the busses was the extent of the "irritation"...but it was well worth it to have it everywhere in WDW..in and out of the parks.

You can usually sit in the rear of the bus (handicapped area) with your stroller with no problems.... I guess if its' crowded...(never was for us).. you might have to stand.

Also, when waiting for the bus, stand (with your stroller folded and ready to go) near where the rear doors will be and the driver will not only open those rear doors for you, but he'll do so BEFORE letting anyone else on...

It's your vacation...so it's your choice!!!

Kevin

 

[jenlovesdisney]

[
Also, when waiting for the bus, stand (with your stroller folded and ready to go) near where the rear doors will be and the driver will not only open those rear doors for you, but he'll do so BEFORE letting anyone else on...



Hey Kevin, good idea! Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by SomeSayImGoofy
You can usually sit in the rear of the bus (handicapped area) with your stroller with no problems.... I guess if its' crowded...(never was for us).. you might have to stand.

Also, when waiting for the bus, stand (with your stroller folded and ready to go) near where the rear doors will be and the driver will not only open those rear doors for you, but he'll do so BEFORE letting anyone else on...

It's your vacation...so it's your choice!!!

Kevin

If you are sitting or standing in the handicapped area and someone who needs it for transport of a wheelchair or ecv gets on, you will be asked to move. So, I probably would say only to go there if you know there will be no chance of you having to move (last bus stop at resort or at the park to go back to the resort with no wheelchairs waiting).

The bus driver may or may not open the back door for you to place your stroller in. Sometimes people with wheelchairs even have trouble getting noticed by the bus driver to get the door opened.

 

[DisneyMom23Boys]

Hi!

Our youngest of 3 sons is going to be 6 in December and we are taking our Graco double stroller this week, too. We've taken it on many numerous trips in the past (both flying & driving) and find it a life-saver. As someone else mentioned, the most difficult thing is manuevering it on the bus.

Also, you may NOT take the stroller on the bus with a sleeping child in it. You need to fold the stroller to board. This is not the case on the monorail or ferries, though.

Ours is turquoise in color & is always easy to spot, because there are hardly any similar strollers that color.

I prefer a heavier/sturdier stroller over an umbrella stroller, because they hold up better, there is shade, there's extra room to put backpacks, cameras, etc., and room for our son to lay down & stretch out.

Have fun!

Deb

 

[JABEAR]

We have taken our Graco stroller each time we have taken our son. I would say a general rule is if the child can fit in a stroller, take one. It has been worth the "hassle" to bring our own. As for an umbrella stroller, they are not as durable but are more compact. But I would say take a full size. When the stroller is folded up, I like to use a small bungee cord to wrap around the handle and the bar that connects the wheels. That keeps it from opening up when you are walking around with it.

 

[Cleokitty]

When our girls were younger, we always took our stroller. If the bus came and filled before we got on, we would just let the next person in line go and we would wait for the next bus (esp. at park closings). That way we could get on and head straight to the back, having a place to sit and enough room for the stroller to get down the aisle.

We also took a larger umbrella stroller that had a fully reclining seat. We would recline the seat. Our older child would sit in the back and the younger one in the front, leaning back on the older. It worked pretty well for us.

Never had a problem with anything being taken while we were on rides. We did, however, lose it in the masses once or twice but it was navy blue. The balloon tied to the handle is a great idea because it floats above the sea of other handles.

 

[lisaes]

I bought an umbrella stroller for DS before we went. I was debating about renting one at the parks but this was so convenient while waiting for the buses, etc. He actually fell asleep at MNNSHP on Friday so it was great that we didn't have to carry him out to the monorail at the end of the night! DS will be 5 in November and although would NEVER think about getting into a stroller at home, loved it at Disney and would bring one with us again.
On another note, our wonderful stroller was taken at AK on Saturday while in ITTBAB. We had a baloon and a scarf attached to the handle too. What was left in its place was an identical stroller which was pretty banged up but of course no balloon or scarf! We were glad that we hadn't left any of our bags on it.
When we were coming off Kali rapids, there was a family picking up their stroller and the wife said to the husband something like "pick the nicest one" and the grandmother was going along with her saying "yeah, try to find one with some money in it". Now I'm sure they meant this as a joke, but it makes you wonder!

 

[DisneyMom23Boys]

Hi, Again!

I forgot to mention that dh works at a casket company (they distribute them to funeral homes). Anyway, I take along a bunch of the clear plastic covers that go over the caskets and use them to cover the stroller during rain showers. If you have access to anything like this I would highly recommend. Even with our huge double Graco stroller we had no worries about all of our belongings getting wet & the seats stayed dry, too!!

Regarding balloons...a GREAT idea, except on windy days - the driver or surrounding walkers may get mauled by the balloon!! LOL And if you're going to use one for this purpose, purchase a mylar balloon, because depending on the weather, they hold up for several days.


Deb

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

Originally posted by DisneyMom23Boys
Regarding balloons...a GREAT idea, except on windy days - the driver or surrounding walkers may get mauled by the balloon!! LOL And if you're going to use one for this purpose, purchase a mylar balloon, because depending on the weather, they hold up for several days.


Deb

Hmmmm.... never tied a ballon... I guess I like the thrill of hunting for out tattered and tacky single-wide...

Besides balloons are taboo at AKL, and I couldn't stomach spending 5 bucks a day on a new balloon for this purpose!

Kevin